With Jimmy Butler and J.J. Redick off the roster, the Philadelphia 76ers may have some difficulty with perimeter scoring in the 2019-20 NBA season, and now more than ever, the Sixers need All-Star Ben Simmons to develop a jump shot.
Simmons became an instant star in Philadelphia and could eventually join Russell Westbrook in the NBA’s triple-double average club, but his deficiencies as an outside scorer have reduced his effectiveness overall, particularly in playoff series.
Simmons, who shot 60 percent from the field overall last season but just 60 percent from the free throw line, still has yet to make a 3-point shot in his NBA career. A total of 90 percent of Simmons’ shot attempts came from within 10 feet of the basket, with the majority coming within three feet of the rim.
Sixers forward Tobias Harris, who landed a five-year, $180 million deal this summer, says Simmons is gaining confidence in his shooting ability during the offseason. Harris said in a 1-on-1 game with Simmons, he dared the young Sixers star to take 3-pointers, and Simmons responded by hitting two in a row.
“He’s in the gym religiously every day, grinding and getting better. He’s in great shape. Everybody was trying to figure out why I was guarding him at the 3-point line. It was really because he hit two of them. When I dared him to shoot two of them, he hit two in a row, so that’s why I was there.
He’s made big improvements on his game. His jump shot’s looking good, he has confidence to shoot it. I just kept telling him there even in these workouts when you’re playing, have the confidence to shoot them and don’t get discouraged if you miss. This is where you build that type of confidence.”
